Ben Stiller, Benicio del Toro reteam for Apple TV+ series
A new trade report claims Ben Stiller’s next Apple TV+ comedy teams him with Escape at Dannemora star.
Bit of news from the Apple TV+ camp, and it's a proper one for the comedy crowd. Ben Stiller is dusting off his sitcom shoes for a new series — and he's dragging some serious talent along for the ride. If you were a fan of Escape at Dannemora, that gritty miniseries about a prison break (with no shortage of awkward sexual tension and bad tattoos), you'll appreciate the reunion happening here.
The show brings together Ben Stiller and Benicio del Toro for the first time since their Emmy-nominated miniseries in 2018.
Stiller, Del Toro, and Prison Antics
Right, the new show is called Protective Custody. The big hook: not only is Stiller back in front of the camera, but Benicio del Toro is joining him — yes, the Oscar-winner who tends to play either oddball criminals or, even more rarely, the occasional Marvel weirdo (he was The Collector, if you somehow missed it). This will actually be Del Toro's first go in a proper lead role for a TV comedy. Quite something for a bloke normally cast as the brooding type.
You might remember the last time these two worked together: that was Dannemora, which Stiller directed and Del Toro starred in, both picking up Emmy nominations (fair play, because that show was a cut above the average true crime slog). This time, they're on more comedic turf, though it's hardly light stuff.
Show's Premise
Story-wise, Protective Custody is about a high-flying financier who crashes spectacularly — played by Stiller, naturally — after he's accused of major financial fraud. Instead of fleeing to a beach, he lands in jail to await trial, under, yes, protective custody. Most of the show is about him trying to survive prison life, navigate the usual underworld politics, claw back his reputation, and generally rue the day he learned about offshore accounts.
Del Toro's role? Still a mystery, but given his track record, expect something with a bit of edge. Apple are keeping that one firmly under wraps (because of course they are).
Who's Making It?
Bit of TV trivia for the real nerds: the writing team is Mike Judge, Steve Hely, and Dave King (all three are also executive producers and showrunners, and if you've ever seen King's work on The Good Place or Parks and Rec, you know he can do clever sitcom writing). Mike Judge, in particular, isn't just writing — he's directing too. That's the bloke who brought us Silicon Valley and Beavis and Butt-Head. Between that lot, this is at least worth a look.
Ben Stiller isn't just starring; he's executive producing (through his Red Hour company) alongside John Lesher. Also on the producers' list: Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, Rodney Ferrell, Michael Rotenberg, Oly Obst, and Nanette Burstein. If you ever wanted to play a game of "spot the TV power player", just look at that lot.
Del Toro's Filmography, for the Forgetful
Quick refresher: Benicio del Toro picked up his Oscar for Traffic back in 2001, playing Javier Rodriguez. He's got nominations for 21 Grams and A Better Life. He's also the face you might remember from Sicario, The French Dispatch, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and, for the MCU completists, the aforementioned Collector in Guardians and Infinity War.
When's It Out?
As for when you'll actually be able to see this — Apple TV+ is staying quiet. No release date yet. Typical.